Bringing a new baby into the world is a life-changing moment. However, that moment can become fraught with panic and uncertainty when a preventable complication causes a birth injury or death to the child.
Keep reading to learn what parents should know about infant mortality and birth injuries in Georgia.
Georgia’s Infant Mortality Rate Is Among the Worst in the Country
According to the most recent March of Dimes data, Georgia regularly reports hundreds of infant deaths (when a child dies before their first birthday), with a statewide infant mortality rate of around 7 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure is above the national average and near the bottom of state rankings nationwide.
The rate has remained high over the past decade despite state efforts to improve outcomes. Georgia also struggles with adverse maternal health events due to inadequate prenatal care.
Common Causes of Infant Death and Injury
Several factors contribute to Georgia’s poor infant health outcomes, including:
- Preterm birth and low birthweight. Babies born before 37 weeks often have underdeveloped organs and face significant health risks, including difficulty breathing, regulating body temperature, and fighting infection.
- Birth defects. Abnormalities present at birth are one of the leading causes of infant death nationwide, including in Georgia.
- Maternal complications during pregnancy. Conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infections can significantly affect both maternal and infant health if not properly managed.
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS, which can occur after birth, is a significant contributor to infant mortality statistics.
- Limited access to quality maternal care. Rural areas and underserved communities in Georgia often suffer from deficient prenatal care that can result in harm to mother or baby.
Some of these conditions are linked to family genetics. Others are attributable to medical negligence that happened during the prenatal period, birth, or delivery, and caused wrongful death.
When a Birth Injury May Involve Medical Negligence
Some pregnancy complications are unavoidable, even with excellent care. But a significant number of birth injuries in Georgia are based on preventable mistakes. When these mistakes are the result of substandard care, they can form the basis of a birth injury claim.
Medical providers in birth, labor, and delivery may violate accepted medical standards by:
- Failing to properly monitor fetal heart rate patterns during labor
- Ignoring signs of fetal distress
- Deciding to perform an emergency cesarean section too late
- Performing poor technique with forceps or vacuum extraction during a difficult delivery
- Failing to address maternal infections during pregnancy
- Making medication errors related to labor-inducing drugs or other substances
- Delaying a response to complications like umbilical cord prolapse or shoulder dystocia
To determine whether your child’s injury was due to malpractice, your attorney will generally need to consult with obstetric or neonatal specialists to establish whether negligence was involved.
What to Do If You Suspect Negligence Played a Role
If your baby suffered a serious injury or fatal complications, and you have concerns about the quality of care provided, you should take a few steps to protect your rights.
You should:
- Request a complete copy of the medical records from your pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
- Ask your child’s current medical team for a clear explanation of the diagnosis and its likely cause.
- Keep detailed notes about what you were told during labor and delivery, while the details are still fresh.
- Consult with an attorney who can arrange an independent medical review of your case and provide legal guidance on your options and next steps.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation to cover your child’s medical expenses, future care costs, and pain and suffering. Taking these steps early in the process helps improve your position to get a fair result.
Contact a Georgia Birth Injury Lawyer at Georgia Baby Safety for Help
If you believe your child suffered injuries due to preventable medical negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for the harm caused. An experienced attorney can review your case, help you understand your legal options, and answer any questions you may have.
For more information, call Georgia Baby Safety today to schedule a free consultation with a Georgia birth injury lawyer.
The Moses Firm
3490 Piedmont Rd NE #1206, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-995-6033
Available 24/7